e n i a l CityConnect B
W W W . C I . B L A I N E . M N . U S
November/December 2010
City Publishes 2010 Corporate Report For the third consecutive year, the City of Blaine has published its annual Corporate Report to the Community as an insert in this newsletter. This popular financial report is designed to give taxpayers an inside look at the levy, ultimately displaying how the City of Blaine turns taxpayer dollars into quality city services. Much of the information is shown in graphic form and put in terms of the cost to the owner of a median-valued home in Blaine. Financial data is also broken down to show the portion of the levy designated to funding the various services provided by the city.
Blaine World Fest Draws Crowd to Town Square Park The city celebrated its cultural and ethnic diversity on Sept. 25 at Blaine World Fest with music, dance, food and interactive learning exhibits. More than 900 people attended the event to party, eat and enjoy dozens of scheduled activities. A recordbreaking 31 groups participated as entertainers, food vendors or presenters. A complete story about the popular annual event can be found on the back cover.
Recreational Trails Named in Honor of Early Residents Two segments of city recreational trails were recently named in recognition of early residents who made a lasting impression on the community. The first paved trail section, which stretches along Radisson Road from 105th Avenue south and east to Flanders Street, was named in honor of George and Sarah Wall. George, an emigrant of England, and Sarah, from New York, settled in Blaine in 1870, becoming two of the earliest permanent residents in the area. They made a living farming and regularly traded goods with nearby Ojibwe camps. After Blaine separated from Anoka in 1877, George served as town supervisor, treasurer and road overseer. In fact, 101st Avenue was originally known as Wall Road. George is also credited with founding School District #60; he also served on its governing board. George and Sarah lived in Blaine until retiring in 1907. A second section of dedicated trail follows Radisson Road from Flanders Street south and east to Naples Street. It was named in honor of Charles and Jessie Otte, the daughter and son-in-law of the George and Sarah Wall. Charles emigrated from Germany in 1881 and by the end of the decade found his way to Blaine, where he and his family took up farming. In 1894, he married Jessie Wall, the youngest surviving daughter of George and Sarah. Charles served as a trustee and treasurer of Blaine Township and was a board member for the school district. As a farmer, he acquired a great deal of land and built up a renowned herd of milking cows. Charles died in 1930 and Sarah passed away in 1945, but their original homestead remained in the family until 1952. It was then sold to the Metropolitan Airport Commission and is now the location of the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Several generations of the Otte family were in attendance when the trails were formally dedicated on Oct. 16.